Jodie Foster plays ‘such an a–hole’

After a nearly five-year hiatus, “True Detective” is back for Season 4 with stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis. 

“It was really interesting to see how [Foster] portrayed [her character] as such an a – – hole. But in all the right ways,” Reis, 37, told The Post.

“It’s such a button-pusher to [my character] Navarro.”

Premiering Jan. 14 at 9 p.m. (on HBO and Max), “True Detective: Night Country” was created by Issa López (original series creator Nic Pizzolatto is still credited as an executive producer, along with Season 1 stars Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey). 

Each season of the Emmy-winning anthology series has followed mismatched detectives as they solve a case, including Harrelson and McConaughey on Season 1, Colin Farrell and Rachel McAdams on Season 2 and Stephen Dorff and Mahershala Ali on Season 3.

“True Detective: Night Country” follows Detectives Liz Danvers (Foster, 61) and Evangeline Navarro (Reis) as they investigate the unexplained sudden disappearance of eight men who were conducting mysterious scientific studies in a remote research center in the town of Ennis, Alaska. 

They vanished seemingly in the middle of their daily activities, leaving TVs and lights on.

Christopher Eccleston co-stars as Danvers’ occasional love interest, and Fiona Shaw plays a local recluse.

After the men go missing, it seems to connect to another cold case from years ago. 

While Foster is a seasoned acting veteran, Reis is a relative newcomer, pivoting to Hollywood after a career as a professional boxer. 

“Navarro has the most physical interactions in the series. So that was something that I really brought to the forefront. There’s so many parallels in boxing,” said Reis, who said that she re-watched “True Detective” Season 1 while filming “Night Country.”  

“I have to trust the coach to see what I don’t see, and the cameraperson or director to tell me what’s working and not working. So, the ability to take direction and listen and apply the best way I know possible until we get it right, whatever game plan works — that’s not unfamiliar to me, at all.”

She also connected to Navarro’s background, she said.

“It was a few relatable things … balancing two ethnicities, as far as [Navarro] being Dominican and Iñupiat, and me being Wampanoag  and Afro-Indigenous — Native American and black. You kind of walk those worlds where you’re not enough for either side, and you try to find your path. So, I identify with that, as well as Navarro having this tough exterior, and having to be very physical in her occupation, but being very intuitive and spiritually connected to the land and people around her.” 

Because Reis is relatively new to showbiz, she asked Foster for advice, she said. 

“It was awesome working with her, she’s such an intelligent mind to work next to, and she has such an infectious smile and laugh that makes you feel comfortable. She’s really curious and interested in collaborating with fellow partners … I went in with an open mind, and learned so much from her, and came out with a friend.

“I asked, ‘What do they mean when they say this? What does this mean?’ She lights up when she gets to share her knowledge. And that’s something that isn’t common. Some people want to hold their knowledge. She’s so happy to share and explain,” Reis went on. “We were there shooting a serious dark eerie story. And I’m a perfectionist, being an athlete and wanting to do things the right way. And [I learned from Foster] — don’t take things so seriously. Let’s have fun with it, and let’s create.”